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Call upon Allah for support and forgiveness in this deeply spiritual night prayer
Du’a Qunoot is a special supplication said during Witr, the additional units of prayer performed after Isha or before Fajr. The Prophet Muhammed (ﷺ) always observed the Witr prayer, even while traveling, and encouraged others to do the same. This article explores the meaning of Du’a Qunoot, how to perform it, and alternatives if you forget the exact words.
Transliteration of Dua Qunoot
“Allahumma ihdini feeman hadayt, wa a’fini fiman afait, wa tawallani fiman tawallait, wa barik Li fima atait, wa qini sharra ma qadait, fa Innaka taqdi wa la yuqda Alaik, wa innahu la yadhillu man walait, tabarakta Rabbana wa ta’alait.”
How to Perform It
The Supplication of Dua Qunoot
اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ وَعَافِنِي فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ وَتَوَلَّنِي فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ وَقِنِي شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلاَ يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ وَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ. “Allahumma ihdini feeman hadayt, wa a’fini fiman afait, wa tawallani fiman tawallait, wa barik Li fima atait, wa qini sharra ma qadait, fa Innaka taqdi wa la yuqda Alaik, wa innahu la yadhillu man walait, tabarakta Rabbana wa ta’alait.”
- Translation: “O Allah! Guide me with those You have guided, grant me wellness with those You have granted wellness, watch over me with those You have watched over, bless me in what You’ve given, and shield me from the harm of what You’ve decreed. You alone decide and none can overrule You, and the one You support will never be disgraced. Blessed and Exalted are You, our Lord.”
- This is the widely accepted version of Du’a Qunoot.
اَللَّهُمَّ إنا نَسْتَعِينُكَ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَنُؤْمِنُ بِكَ وَنَتَوَكَّلُ عَلَيْكَ وَنُثْنِئْ عَلَيْكَ الخَيْرَ وَنَشْكُرُكَ وَلَا نَكْفُرُكَ وَنَخْلَعُ وَنَتْرُكُ مَنْ ئَّفْجُرُكَ اَللَّهُمَّ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَلَكَ نُصَلِّئ وَنَسْجُدُ وَإِلَيْكَ نَسْعأئ وَنَحْفِدُ وَنَرْجُو رَحْمَتَكَ وَنَخْشآئ عَذَابَكَ إِنَّ عَذَابَكَ بِالكُفَّارِ مُلْحَقٌ. “Allahumma inna nasta-eenoka wa nastaghfiruka wa nu’minu bika wa natawakkalu alaika wa nusni alaikal khair, wa nashkuruka wala nakfuruka wa nakhla-oo wa natruku mai yafjuruka, Allah humma iyyaka na’budu wa laka nusalli wa nasjud wa ilaika nas aaa wa nahfizu wa narju rahma taka wa nakhshaa azaabaka inna azaabaka bil kuffari mulhik.”
- Translation: “O Allah! We seek Your assistance and ask Your forgiveness. We believe in You, rely on You, praise You in the best way, and express gratitude to You. We do not deny You, and we distance ourselves from those who disobey You. O Allah! You alone we worship, to You we pray and prostrate, toward You we strive and serve. We long for Your mercy and fear Your punishment. Surely, Your punishment reaches the disbelievers.”
- This version of Dua Qunoot is commonly recited by followers of the Hanafi school of thought within Sunni Islam.
Understanding the Meaning and Rewards of Dua Qunoot
Dua Qunoot is a time-honored prayer recited following the Witr prayer. Du’a e Qunoot is a respected and meaningful supplication Muslims offer after the Isha prayer and before Fajr. It is traditionally included in Witr, the odd-numbered optional prayer the Prophet Muhammed (ﷺ) observed every night, even while traveling.
- Witr can be performed with 3, 5, 7, or 9 rak’ahs, depending on the practice.
Du’a Qunoot brings forgiveness and divine protection to believers. The first version seeks Allah’s guidance, care, and shielding from harm. The second version glorifies Him and requests His mercy and forgiveness. Reciting either version can strengthen your connection with Allah, ease emotional burdens, and provide spiritual comfort.
- During Ramadan, Witr is often prayed in congregation, with the imam reciting Du’a Qunoot aloud for everyone to follow.
How to Perform Witr Including Du’a Qunoot
Start with sincere intention (niyyah) to perform the Witr prayer. Choose an odd number of rakats to offer—1, 3, 5, 7, or 9—and state your intention, aloud or silently.
- Some scholars view Witr as Wajib (obligatory), while others consider it Sunnah (a recommended act practiced by the Prophet).
- Always perform wudu before beginning your prayer.
Turn to face the Qiblah and raise both hands beside your shoulders or ears. The Qiblah points to the holy Kaaba in Mecca. With palms open and facing forward, say “Allahu Akbar” (“Allah is the greatest”).
- Need help locating the Qibla? Use Google’s Qibla Finder.
Place your right hand over your left on your chest as you stand. Begin by saying “Audhu billahi min ashshayta nirrajeem” (“I seek protection with Allah from Shaytan, the outcast”). Then, recite Surat Al-Fatiha:
- Bis milla hirrahma nirraheem. Alhamdu lillahi rabbil aalameen. Arrahmaa nirraheem. Maliki yaumiddeen. Iyyaka nabudu wa iyyaka nasta’een. Ihdi nassira talmustaqeem. Sira talladhina anamta alayhim, ghayril maghdubi alayhim, wa ladhdhaal leen. Aameen.
- Translation: “In the name of Allah, the most Gracious, the most Merciful. All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all worlds, the Compassionate, the Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgment. You alone we worship and You alone we seek help. Guide us to the straight path—the path of those You have blessed, not of those who earned Your wrath or went astray.”
- You may follow it with a short Surah from the Quran.
Lift your hands, say “Allahu Akbar,” and go into a bowing position. Raise your hands near your ears and say “Allahu Akbar.” Then bow down, placing your hands on your knees, and recite “Subhana rabbiyal azeem” (“Glory be to my Lord, the Almighty”) three times.
- This is referred to as the “ruku” posture.
Stand upright with your arms resting at your sides. As you rise from the bow, say “Sami’allaahu liman hamidah” (“Allah hears those who praise Him”). Once fully upright, say “Rabbana wa lakal hamd” (“Our Lord, to You belongs all praise”).
Go into prostration, touching the ground with your forehead, hands, and knees. Say “Allahu Akbar” as you descend. Ensure your forehead, nose, palms, knees, and toes are touching the floor, with the soles of your feet pointed backward. Recite “Subhana rubbiyal a’ala” (“Glory be to my Lord, the Most High”) three times.
- This is known as the sujood position.
Say “Allahu Akbar” and sit back on your left leg with your right foot upright. Rest your body on your left calf while the top of your left foot lies on the floor. Keep your right toes and foot upright. Place your hands on your knees and say “Allahu Akbar” three times.
- You can also say “Rabbighfirlee” (“O Allah, forgive me”) three times instead.
Enter prostration again and say “Allahu Akbar.” While prostrating, recite “Subhana rubbiyal a’ala” (“Glory be to my Lord, the Most High”) three times.
- This marks the completion of the first rak’ah.
Rise, say “Allahu Akbar,” and repeat steps 3 to 8. Stand back up from your prostration and say “Allahu Akbar.” Lift your hands to your ears and repeat “Allahu Akbar.” Continue the second rak’ah exactly as you performed the first.
Take the sitting position and begin reciting the first part of the Tashahud. Sit with your left leg folded beneath you and your right foot upright. Say: “At-tahiyyatu lillah, was-salawaatu wat-tayyibaat. As-salaamu ’alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmat-Ullahi wa barakaatu. As-salaamu ’alayna, wa ’alaa ‘ibaadi-llahis saaliheen.”
- Translation: “All compliments are for Allah, and prayers and goodness. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and on the righteous servants of Allah.”
Lift your right index finger and recite the remaining Tashahud. While keeping your hands on your knees, point your right index finger ahead and say: “Ashhadu an laa ilaaha ill-Allahu wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduHu wa Rasooluh” (“I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger”).
- Afterward, lower your finger so both hands rest on your knees again.
- This concludes the second rak’ah.
Stand and repeat step 3 by reciting Surah Al-Fatiha again. Stand upright with your hands on your chest, right over the left. Begin by saying “Audhu billahi min ashshayta nirrajeem” (“I seek Allah’s shelter from Shaytan, the condemned”). Then recite Surat Al-Fatiha:
- Bis milla hirrahma nirraheem. Alhamdu lillahi rabbil aalameen. Arrahmaa nirraheem. Maliki yaumiddeen. Iyyaka nabudu wa iyyaka nasta’een. Ihdi nassira talmustaqeem. Sira talladhina anamta alayhim, ghayril maghdubi alayhim, wa ladhdhaal leen. Aameen.
- Meaning: “In the name of Allah, the most Gracious, most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, The most Gracious, the most Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgment, You alone we worship and You alone we ask for assistance. Guide us along the straight path. The path of those upon whom You have bestowed Your blessings, not the path of those with whom You are angry nor the path of those who have gone astray.”
- You may follow this with any additional Quranic verses.
Raise your hands to your ears, then lower them to your navel. Without entering ruku, say “Allahu Akbar” as you raise your hands, then place them at your belly button. Now recite the Du’a Qunoot:
- “Allahumma ihdini feeman hadayt, wa a’fini fiman afait, wa tawallani fiman tawallait, wa barik Li fima atait, wa qini sharra ma qadait, fa Innaka taqdi wa la yuqda Alaik, wa innahu la yadhillu man walait, tabarakta Rabbana wa ta’alait.”
Go through steps 5 to 8 again, then recite the Tashahud. After completing the rak’ah, sit with your left foot flat and your right foot upright. Follow steps 10 and 11 to recite the Tashahud.
- You may optionally repeat this third rak’ah 2, 4, or 6 times.
Turn your head to the right, then to the left. After the Tashahud, remain seated with your palms resting on your knees. Look over your right shoulder and say “Assalaamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah” (“May Allah’s peace and mercy be upon you”), then turn your head to the left and say the same.
- This marks the completion of your prayer.
- You can now make dhikr by repeating “Subhaan Allah” or “Al-hamdu lillah” 33 times, or saying “Allahu Akbar” 34 times.
Optional Prayers You Can Use During Witr
Rabbana Atina Fid Dunya If you’re unable to memorize the Du’a Qunoot, you can replace it with another du’a. A simple alternative is: “Rabbana atina fid dunya hasanatan wa fil Aakhirati hasanatan waqina ‘adhaban-nar.”
- Meaning: “Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.”
- Though Du’a Qunoot is not mandatory, it is highly recommended. Reading from a book or paper is allowed until you memorize it.
Allahummaghfirli You can also say “Allahummaghfirli” as a substitute for Qunoot. Recite it three times and then continue your prayer normally.
- Translation: “O Allah, forgive me.”
- Alternatively, recite “Allahummahdini” (“O Allah, guide me”) three times.
Supplication from Surah Ali ‘Imran You may also opt for a Quranic supplication in place of Du’a Qunoot. One example from Surah 3:8 is: “Rabbanaa laa tuzigh quloobanaa ba’da iz hadaitanaa wa hab lanaa mil ladunka rahmah; innaka antal Wahhaab.”
- Meaning: “Our Lord! Do not let our hearts deviate after You have guided us. Grant us Your mercy. Indeed, You are the Giver of all gifts.”
- Du’a Qunoot is especially beloved during Ramadan, as these nights hold immense blessings.
- A du’a—also spelled dua—is an invocation where Muslims call upon Allah for forgiveness, mercy, and the fulfillment of their needs.
